Rugby Union Weekly

Sara Orchard and Ugo Monye are joined by former Scotland captain Lisa Martin to look back on the WXV Global Series, asking what next for England after losing their long unbeaten streak.

They're joined by coach Shaun Edwards, who gives an insight on working with the Red Roses, his new job with Argentina's men, and whether he was ever likely to join Steve Borthwick's England set-up.

The team also look at Scotland's winless campaign, as well as positive series for Wales and Ireland. And outside of the England, who looks in a good shape to be part of next year's Lions squad?

TIMECODES

Chris is in the England camp to speak to two of the headline selections in Steve Borthwick's squad. Joe Marchant reflects on winning a recall after three years away, and tells us what it's like to have Alan Shearer as a father-in-law. Will Joseph is also on to chat about his stellar form for Gloucester and how he is doing it all while deaf in one ear. And Borthwick himself joins us to discuss how well the Prem is preparing his players for the international game and what he made of the dust-up in the East Midlands deby

Are England picking for now or the World Cup? Ugo, Chris and Ashy debate Steve Borthwick’s latest squad, the big omissions and the new faces pushing for a place. Plus, are Bath and Saracens’ rotation policies protecting players or costing them their rhythm? The guys also get stuck into the weekend’s action, have their say on the red card row and ask what went wrong for the Red Roses against Canada.

Danny, Ashy and Chris reflect on a sombre opening weekend of the Champions Cup following the death of Lions and former Sale lock Hyron Andrews. They assess a chastening start for the Prem, with only one win from eight matches. Is it evidence of English rugby falling behind, or just a difficult opening weekend? Glasgow impress in the north west, Connacht turn on the style and Bath lose again. The Red Roses 41-match unbeaten run is over, but will the defeat to Canada prove to be a blessing in disguise? The All Blacks extend their winning run to 13 over the Wallabies and Spain enter the race to host the 2035 World Cup. Rugby in the Nou Camp anyone?

Ashy and Sara are at the Champions Cup launch speaking to a host of big names ahead of the opening round. Jack Conan reflects on the heartbreak of losing another final and the criticism Leinster receive over their Champions Cup record. Can they finally adda fifth star or will the French dominance continue? Ashy is reunited with his old team-mate 'big' Will Skelton, who gives us a the lowdown on why Ronan O'Gara is loved in La Rochelle and what has changed following last year's surprise exit. Nathan Hughes talks about life in Paris at Racing 92 and how a routine pre-season eye check-up saved his sight. Plus, former Wasps back row Nizaam Carr explains just how tough it is playing rugby during Ramadan and why the Champions Cup has struggled to capture the imagination in South Africa.

Can you ever have too many tries? Can a steak be too buttery? Ugo, Danny and Chris tackle all the big topics on this week’s pod after another try-fest at the Gardens. We try to explain why there are so many tries in the Prem and if it is devaluing the product. Ashy’s try record hangs by a thread after Christian Wade’s hat-trick took him to 100 tries. Should there be a draft system for young academy players who aren’t getting enough gametime? We ask Phil Dowson for his thoughts. Shaun Edwards will be coaching at next year’s World Cup, it just won’t be with England.

Irish rugby legend Peter O’Mahony joins Danny and Sara for a special episode reflecting on his extraordinary career. We discuss World Cup heartbreaks, Six Nations success, and the sacrifices he made over 20 years as a pro. O’Mahony gives a fascinating insight into how Joe Schmidt transformed Ireland and unlocked a different level in him, and how team and environment has evolved since Andy Farrell took charge. He tells us how he was deeply affected by the tragic passing of Anthony Foley and how it changed him as a person and a rugby player. We hear how he bonded with Jamie George on the Lions tour in 2017 and why you should think twice before asking Ma’a Nonu for an All Blacks jersey. We also talk rivalries and quiz O’Mahony on his beef with Scotland.

Ugo, Ashy and Danny raise a glass to Brendan Venter’s short stint as Saracens’ wine consultant and review round two of the Prem. Venter finally spoke to the media, but was it worth the wait? And has the whole saga damaged the club’s reputation? The West Country clubs continued their 100% start to the season. Louis Rees-Zammit is back on the wing and scoring tries as Bristol put 41 points on champions Northampton, Gloucester schooled Quins at Kingsholm and Bath dug deep to edge another thriller with Exeter at The Rec. We also talk Sir Kev, Bristol’s new approach to post-match media and hear about Ashy’s trip up north.

Sara Orchard sits-down with two of the biggest names in women's rugby, Lions Women's head coach Jo Yapp and New Zealand women's head coach Whitney Hansen. A year out from the inaugural Lions Women's Tour and who would have thought the darts is at the forefront of Whitney Hansen's mind. The Black Ferns head honcho also discusses how New Zealand didn't capitalise on their 2022 RWC win, but is open to innovation with the Lions on what women's sport could look like in the future. Coaches dance-off, maybe? Yapp confirms New Zealand as her ideal destination and reveals her hopes a Lions Women documentary that can make the same impact as the men's from 1997.

There were 52 tries, four away wins and three hat-tricks as the Prem returned after its long summer break. Ashy, Ugo and Chris discuss who made the biggest statement on the opening weekend. Was it Saracens surviving a 20-minute red card at Welford Road? Or Gloucester’s demolition of last season’s finalists Exeter? Ashy reacts to Christian Wade closing in on his Prem try record and we discuss the impact of the Welsh players who have joined the league. There’s more on the Red Roses dramatic over the Black Ferns and Australia’s sensational win over the Springboks. Is this a sign of things to come from the Wallabies ahead of 2027?